Guruve Community Praises Defold for Bringing Cancer Awareness
Communities in the Guruve North Constituency have praised Defold Mine Pvt Ltd and its operating partner, SanHe Mining, for leading a breast cancer awareness campaign at Nyarusvisvi Secondary School. This initiative has helped the community gain a deeper understanding of breast cancer and the importance of early detection, Mining Zimbabwe reports.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Last week, Defold Mine hosted an awareness campaign under the theme “No One Should Face Breast Cancer Alone.” This effort ensured that the rural community learned about the dangers of breast cancer, prevention methods, and the significance of early detection to avoid severe complications.
As part of the campaign, Defold Mine brought cancer survivors Ms. Rumbidzai Manyere and Tinopona Katsande to share their experiences with the disease. Both women spoke candidly about their battles with breast cancer, showing the community that early detection can be life-saving. Their powerful testimonies inspired hope and emphasized the importance of cancer screenings and seeking medical advice at the earliest signs of illness.
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the event, Defold Mine’s Acting General Manager, Wilfred Tanyanyiwa, emphasized the company’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the need to support communities like Guruve.
He mentioned that compared to other areas where Defold operates, such as Kamativi, CSR activities in Guruve had lagged behind.
“We usually assess areas where we have mining concessions, and we discovered that this region was falling behind in terms of CSR initiatives. When we partnered with SanHe Mining in this area, we felt it was essential to contribute to the community’s well-being, particularly in health awareness. This campaign is just the beginning. We aim to ensure that the community is well-educated on health-related issues,” said Tanyanyiwa.
His statement reflects Defold’s dedication to giving back to the communities in which they operate, with the hope of making a lasting impact on public health.
Women from the Guvure community were particularly grateful for the cancer awareness campaign. Ms. Gracious Mapanga, a community member, expressed her appreciation for the life-saving knowledge shared at the event.
“It is rare that we hear of this kind of information. Most of the time when we feel sick, we are quick to go to prophets and traditional healers for solutions. But we have learned that it is important to seek advice from medical doctors and nurses,” she said.
Another woman, Nyasha Midzi, also praised Defold Mine for the invaluable information.
“We have always known about breast cancer, but the kind of information that we received here has been rare. It’s actually news to us, and we thank Defold Mine for bringing this program. We are going to help some of our colleagues with this kind of information,” she remarked.
The event featured several doctors, nurses, and medical practitioners from both the local community and neighbouring areas. Guruve District Medical Officer, Dr. Tinei Tadiwa Chivese, informed the community about the availability of free cancer screenings at the local hospital, offered Monday to Friday. Dr. Chivese encouraged community members to take advantage of these services, underscoring the importance of regular check-ups for early detection. Independent doctors were also present, providing additional medical insights and support to the community.
The event focused on educating women and girls about the symptoms, risk factors, and importance of breast cancer screenings. Free medical examinations were offered during the campaign, giving many attendees their first opportunity to receive professional medical advice on such a critical health issue.
Local leaders also lauded the initiative for its positive influence on the community. Zishiri Kudakwashe, Headmaster at Nyarusvisvi Secondary School, highlighted the campaign’s lasting impact. He noted that the combination of education, cancer survivor testimonies, and the support offered would encourage women, mothers, and girls to prioritize early detection and seek medical help when necessary.
“The campaign was an eye-opener for this community because it is the first of its kind in this area. Now that it has been launched, with the food provided and testimonies from cancer survivors, it will encourage the community — the women, mothers, and girls — to seek early detection and testing so they can receive help sooner,” said Zishiri.
Educators like Mutaiwa Godfrey, Headmaster of Nyarusvisvi Primary School, emphasized the importance of teachers understanding such health issues and passing on this knowledge to future generations.
“For us educators, we will impart the knowledge we’ve gained here to the children. The teachers present have learned what needs to be done. Essentially, the focus is on early detection to aid in prevention,” Mutaiwa noted.
The involvement of educators in campaigns like this ensures that young people are equipped with life-saving information from an early age. By fostering awareness in schools, teachers are helping to shape a healthier future for the community.
Village head Mr. Siwashiyo Manyamba of Manyamba Village expressed gratitude to Defold Mine for dispelling myths and misconceptions about cancer, which had long plagued the community. He acknowledged that many in the village had previously attributed illnesses like cancer to witchcraft or traditional causes.
“This awareness has helped us know that before we think about witchcraft, we need to first consider medical conditions. It will help us not to accuse each other of witchcraft. People were living in ignorance and would not be aware of the early symptoms of cancer. Now, we understand that early detection is key,” said Manyamba.
The breast cancer awareness campaign marks a significant milestone in Guruve, as the community now has the tools and information necessary to combat breast cancer through education and early intervention. Defold Mine’s initiative not only provided critical healthcare support but also strengthened the bond between the mine and the community, showcasing the potential of CSR programs to drive meaningful change in rural areas.